DET10A In Stock

The DET10A by ThorLabs is a Silicon detector, a highly reliable and efficient device that is designed to detect light signals with wavelengths ranging from 200 nm to 1100 nm. Enclosed in a housing that is both aluminum and rugged in appearance, the DET10A features a photodiode and an internal 12 V bias battery that provides exceptional accuracy and sensitivity in even the most demanding applications.

One of the standout features of the DET10A is its compatibility with a 1" optical coupler (SM1T1) that is removeable, which makes it easy to mount fiber adapters (SMA, FC and ST style), fiber adapters (SMA, FC and ST style), spectral filters, ND filters, and other lens mount accessories that are 1" and stackable. Additionally, all connections and controls of the DET10A are located away from the light path, simplifying the integration of the detector in enclosed spaces. The device can be easily mounted in a cage system, lens tube system, or on a Ø1/2" optical post using the 8-32 tapped holes.

The DET10A is ideal for monitoring fast pulsed lasers as well as DC optical sources with its wide bandwidth DC-coupled output. An electrical current is available on the side panel BNC of its direct photodiode, which can be made into a positive voltage with the help of a terminating resistor. For high-speed signals, a 50 Ω load resistor is recommended, while for lower bandwidth applications, the variable terminator or fixed stub-style terminators can be used to quickly adjust the measured voltage.

The DET10A has a battery check feature that allows users to keep an eye on the bias voltage output through the BNC. This adds an extra layer of convenience and helps ensure accuracy. The “V Bias Out” button located at the bottom of the unit will enable the user to output bias voltage through the BNC connector with ease. A built-in 1.05 kΩ current limiting resistor (RCL) is included to prevent overloading the battery when small terminating resistors are used. This ensures a longer battery life and prevents damage to the device.

The DET10A also has two modes of operation: photoconductive and photovoltaic. An external reverse bias is applied in photoconductive mode, which is the basis for the DET10A. While this mode tends to produce a larger dark current, it can be limited based on the photodiode material. In photovoltaic mode, the photodiode is zero biased, and the flow of current out of the device is restricted, resulting in a voltage buildup. This mode exploits the photovoltaic effect, which is the basis for solar cells. When operating in photovoltaic mode, the amount of dark current is kept to a minimum.